The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-06-10
LETTER FROM OMAHA
No. III.

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No. III.
In proportion to population, Omaha
has not kept pace with many other
western cities in the development of
manufactures. With the exception of
the extensive smelling works, which run
without intermission, nights, days and
Sundays, white lead works, linseed
oil factory, distillery and several brew
cries, the manufactures for a live city of
$1,000 inhabitants are meager. Small
repair shops and light manufactures for
home consumption are numerous, but,
with the exception of those named, il is
probable that Kenosha ships more
manufactured articles during the year
than Omaha. There is no Touring mill
worthy the name. The wholesale trade
in merchandise of various kinds and in
agricultural machinery is very extensive.
Farm wagons of Kenosha, Racine and
Whitewater manufacture are seen in the
streets daily.
In lieu of manufacturing, the people
are engaged in the traffic of real estate.
The mania for real estate speculation
exceeds that of Board of Trade opera
tons in Chicago by ambitious adven-
turers of Kenosha and other suburban
towns, and pervades all classes from the
millionaire to the servant girl. There is
something tangible in the real estate
trade, which can be seen by the naked
eye, whereas in Board of Trade opera
tions the substance is too frequently
invisible-imaginary only-a dealing in
options. A friend remarked, few days
since, that with $65 invested he had
realized 5000 in four months another
remarked that he had realized so per
cent on his investments. These, per-
haps, may be exceptions on a small
scale; but fortunes have been made in
many cases by the advance in real estate
so much so that everybody seems
anxious to initiate the example. The
increased value is in both business and
residence property, and rents keep pace
with the advance in valuation, and poor
families find their house rent a heavy
item of their expenditures. In the
suburbs many families are encamping
in tents, to save rent. A stranger from
some sleepy eastern town would feel in
credulous to listen to some of the real
estate transactions, and would hesitate
before investing, but facts are stubborn
things. A poor man, depending alone
upon the work of his hands, might labor
all his days, and not be able to purchase
ground enough for burial lot.
To carry on such an extensive real
estate business must necessarily require
any number Of agencies, and their name
is legion. No less than 230 agencies are
registered in the Real Estate Gazette, and
the list is still incomplete. These agen-
cies usually contain from two to four
partners, from which their census may
be appropriated, besides the numerous
clerks, type-writers, solicitors, street
operators, guides, dudes, story-telIers
and hangers-on to the detriment of the
business.
A piece of suburban acre property is
frequently bought, plated and extensive
ly advertised ; a public sale of lots at
moderate figures, for few days, is an
nounced, after the expiration of which
the price will be advanced-perhaps
doubled as soon as public attention has
been called to the property. Free ex-
cursions are announced to examine the
property, frequently accompanied by a
brass band, after performing through
the streets. A few weeks ago a free
Sunday excursion was advertised on the
Burlington and Missouri Railroad to ex.
anime a newly-made plat of ground, five
miles from the central part of the city
at which time contracts were taken fol
upwards of 40 lots two days after
prices were doubled, and still the sale
continued.
About 20 per cent on a lot only was
required down, and the balance in equa,
monthly payments, thus affording facili
ties for hundreds of people who would
be unable to purchase otherwise. One
similar excursion was accompanied by 8
brass band and free lunch. Such are
some of the devices resorted to in order
to advertise.
Three-fourths of the local advertising
in the city papers is for real estate.
But the novelty among the agencies
is firm composed of three ladies, who
it is claimed, are doing booming bust
ness. The firm consists FIRST of one
lady, young and handsome, who does
the agreeable among young men, roping
in many willing victim who has q
hundred dollars with which to make an
advance payment second, sprightly
widow of no particular age, but Chart
ably supposed to have but just turned tc
the shady side of 40, whose coal-black
eyes and winning manners entice the
sober business man to invest his surplus
cash while the third, and senior part.
ner, is venerable and stately lady
verging towards 60, with iron-gray hail
and becoming dignity, and talks business
without any nonsense. This firm enjoys
an honorable reputation, and is second
to none of its male competitors for fair
dealing. Whether there are any bust
ness men behind the curtain, directing
affairs, no one can find out but it is
supposed the ladies are transacting bust
ness on their own responsibility, and
they certainly exhibit a business tact,
not to be deprecated by any one. What
other city can boast of like novelty?
Omaha is not the only western city
which is booming in real estate transac-
tons. Her big twin sister, Kansas City,
is passing through similar experience.
and has been for several years, and yet
the boom does not come to an end. A
recent Sunday morning paper contained
IL full columns of real estate advertise
ments, besides other noticesamong the
editorials. Atchison, St. Joe and Leaven-
worth, and indeed, most of the country
towns, are affected with the mania
Council Bluffs in particular.
1t would seem that there must be a
limit to this boom, and undoubtedly
there will be; but so long as the prop
erty is required for actual improvement
it cannot be otherwise than legitimate,
unless the imitation of prices exceeds
everything else. 1t is contended that
the figures for real estate are not yet so
high in Omaha as in other western cities
of comparative population and adyan-